Closure-hit riding centre explores rescue options

Visitors learn to ride horses and spend time grooming them at the centre

A horse-riding facility for disabled people which is facing closure has said it is exploring "new potential rescue proposals".

Middlesbrough's Unicorn Centre gives people with disabilities and learning difficulties the opportunity to ride and enjoy time with the animals.

Its trustees recently announced it would close due to growing financial pressures and the charity needs to raise £100,000 by the end of the month if it is to continue.

Since then, it said it had experienced an "outpouring of support", which has allowed it to explore new options to keep the site open.

Rachel Smith, whose daughter Lillian rides horses at the site, said even though she could not talk, she was excited every Saturday.

"She knows she's coming here to see the horses and to ride the horses," she said.

Rachel Smith said her daughter loved the centre

Ms Smith is part of a group of parents raising money for the charity and said the group had raised £1,600 so far.

The charity's trustees said if it was to survive it needed an "immediate injection of funding".

Olivia Fairclough, who has visited the centre for riding since she was paralysed 10 years ago, previously told the BBC she was "not going to accept" the closure.

"This centre means a great deal to everybody... it's a home," she said.

She added that she would try her hardest to save the facility in Stainton Way, Hemlington.

The centre's board of trustees thanked "everyone for their support and patience".

"We will make further announcements as the situation develops," a statement added.